What to see in Bali—Ubud. Temples, rice terraces, coffee boutiques, monkey forest, art-markets and friendly people. If you are into culture, you should stay in the town of Ubud. For TIPS on Ubud, click here.
What to see in Bali—Ubud Town
Ubud is located in the central uplands of Bali and 40-kms (1-hr) north of the airport. It is the center for traditional crafts and dance. Here you will find the scenic Tegallalang Rice terraces, many intricately carved temples, coffee boutiques and the monkey forest among other attractions.
-
- Bali Tegallalang Rice Terraces
- Bali Water Purification Temple-Tirta Empul
- Bali Volcano Mount Batur-Kintamani
- Pura Besakih Temple
- Bali Water Palace-Tirta Gangga
- Heaven’s Gate-Lempuyang Temple
- Bali Coffee Boutiques
- Bali Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
- Ubud Water Palace-Saraswati Temple
- Ubud Royal Palace
- Ubud Art Market
1.Bali—Tegallalang Rice Terraces
10-kms north of Ubud, on the east side of the street are the entrances to the Rice Terraces. An entrance fee/donation is required, some spots offer free coffee, some have awesome view-points.
Rice terraces of Tegallalang, Bali
Pick the entrance with the best view because here is where you get the iconic picture on the swing. They also offer options of “nests”, couple-swings, or heart-shaped wicker seats. You can take a look before paying.
Take a walk along the rice terraces but come prepared. The weather can change pretty fast in Bali especially past the noon hour. Don’t get caught in the rain, there is no shelter. To watch video, click here.
Caught in the rain on the rice terraces. Tegallalang, Bali
2. Bali Water Purification Temple—Tirta Empul
16-kms north of Ubud is this holy Balinese Hindu temple founded in 962-AD. Famous for its holy spring-water baths, where Hindus and tourists take a dip to purify themselves.
Holy spring water bathing structure at Tirta Empul, Tampaksiring, Bali
Everything about these temples are elaborate, even the entranceways/split-gates.
Entranceway to the water purification area, Tirta Empul. Tampaksiring, Bali
3. Bali Volcano Mount Batur—Kintamani
Kintamani is a village high in the mountains of the west wall of the caldera of Mount Batur. 34-kms north of Ubud and at an elevation of around 1500-mtrs. It is used as a stop-over to view the two volcanic peaks of Mount Batur and Mount Agung.
Volcano mount Batur as seen from Kintamani village, Bali
To the north is mount Batur and to the east is mount Agung. Lake Batur occupies the caldera. The sunrise volcano trek up Mount Batur, is a bit challenging but worth the exercise.
Volcano mount Agung as seen from Kintamani village, Bali
4. Pura Besakih Temple
The most important, largest and holiest Hindu temple in Bali. Built 1000-meters high on the southern slope of mount Agung.
Besakih Temple. Mount Agung, Bali
A cluster of 23 separate temples make up this single complex, built on six levels terraced Into the slope.
Pagodas of the Besakih Temples, Mount Agung, Bali
5. Bali Water Palace—Tirta Gangga
A former royal palace known for its bathing pools. 54-kms northeast of Ubud, it is near the east coast.
Bathing Pond with Stepping-Stones at Tirta Gangga Water Palace. Karangasem, Bali
There are many elaborately carved fountains here, almost in all the bathing ponds. The Koi fish are huge and a big attraction too.
An exquisitely ornamented water fountain in one of the Bathing Pools of Tirta Gangga. Karangasem, Bali
One of the highlights here is to buy a packet of fish-food and feed the fish. You will have a whole school of fish gathering around you.
Feeding the fish at the Bathing Pool of Tirta Gangga. Karangasem, Bali
6. Bali Heaven’s Gate—Lempuyang Temple
62-kms northeast of Ubud and close to the coast. Perched 600-meters high on the slope of Mount Lempuyang, the drive up is very challenging with narrow roads and hair-pin bends. Keep in mind, most cars in Bali are manual-gear shift. An “automatic” might have difficulty going up the mountain.
The stairs leading to the main temple in Lempuyang. Karangasem, Bali
This is the iconic Heaven’s Gate or Candi Bentar (split gate) in the local language. Due to the high demand for pictures at this spot, there is a queue system in use. Take a number and wait your turn, on busy days it can be up to an hour’s wait. You can click your own photographs or use the resident photographer.
Iconic Heaven’s Gate at Lmpuyang Temple. Karangasem, Bali
7. Bali Coffee Boutiques
There are quite a few Coffee Boutiques in Bali that promote the coffees produced and blended at their plantations. The entrance fee to their boutiques usually includes a complimentary sampling tray.
A tray of various flavored coffees for sampling. Tegallalang, Bali
They do have fancy menus from which you can purchase other treats or buy their coffees. We had this exotic coffee flavored chocolate ice-cream served in a ripe coconut with chocolate chip cookies and cinnamon.
Coffee flavored ice-cream with coconut and cinnamon in a coffee boutique. Tegallalang, Bali
You also get a guided tour of the property. They explain to you the processes their coffee goes through before it is ready for the shelf.
8. Bali Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
With over a thousand monkeys living in this 12.5 hectare natural habitat sanctuary, it is a thrill to visit. The sanctuary is sacred to the Balinese people and they care for these creatures dearly.
You will come across monkeys performing their impish antics, and also lovingly caring for their young. They are attracted to hanging and shiny objects, so don’t carry sling-bags, or wear sunglasses on the forehead. If any personal effects are snatched by the monkeys, do not fight back or chase them. Look for the care-takers in “green uniform”, they will retrieve your items for you.
A monkey posing with her little one. Ubud, Bali
9. Ubud Water Palace—Saraswati Temple
Right in he middle of Ubud town is this temple dedicated to the goddess Saraswati.
Saraswati Temple, Ubud, Bali
This temple is noted for its lotus pond however, when we visited it was in neglect. It is still a pretty sight and offers a spot of calm in the bustling town.
Lotus pond of Saraswati Temple. Ubud, Bali
10. Ubud Royal Palace
This historical building complex was the former residence of the Royal family of Ubud. The gate to the palace is carved very ornately.
Gate of Ubud Palace, Bali
The inner courtyard is pretty to observe and worth a visit.
Courtyard of Ubud Palace. Ubud, Bali
There are many monuments here that are dedicated to various gods.
Some of the monuments in the courtyard of Ubud Palace. Ubud, Bali
11. Ubud Art Market
In the center of town, the market entrances can easily be missed as they are obscured by other shops. It is quite a large market and spills out onto the streets surrounding it as well.
Art Market, Ubud, Bali
Handicrafts from the local villages, clothes and souvenirs, can all be bought here.
Local Balinese handicraft on sale at the Art Market, Ubud, Bali
For Kuta Beach, Bali, click here.
TIPS
- Keep lots of small notes handy, they are useful for tips/donations in lieu of entry fees
- Most cars are Manual gear-shift, very difficult to rent an automatic
- If visiting temples/holy places, carry a sarong and scarf with you. NO bare shoulders and Sarong a MUST
- The monkeys can be quite confrontational, avoid interacting with them
- Negotiate a price with the taxi-driver before beginning your journey
- It rains most days past 1-pm
- Carry mosquito repellent
